9 of the worst smelling flowers in the world: Bulbophyllum phalaenopsis

9 of the worst smelling flowers in the world

Bulbophyllum phalaenopsis

Orchids are renowned the world over for being a family of flowering plants that produce spectacular, intricate blooms. But the largest genus of orchids, Bulbophyllum, is also known to contain some real stinkers. Case in point, Bulbophyllum phalaenopsis, a hairy, pinkish-red flower from New Guinea, which also happens to smell like dead, rotting mice. As with many of the carrion flowers that have been mentioned on this list, the purpose of the smell is to attract flies.